Babies First: Ensuring Proper Infant Nutrition During Emergencies

Background: Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for an infant, living in all regions and cultures. Recommendations apply across the board, from developed nations to refugee camps, from women with HIV to those with time constraints regarding feeding. There also exists a complex relationship between corporations that provide BMS and the NGOs working to promote breastfeeding in emergency situations amongst vulnerable populations. Objective: The objective of this paper is to expose breastfeeding promotion, using the Dadaab camps in Northeastern Kenya as a case study of IYCF programs and support of breastfeeding among low-literacy populations with an emphasis on women with HIV, then broadening the scope and looking at breastfeeding promotion and the role of corporations in development and health. Method: An interactive research approach is used, first by conducting research through literature and policy review, followed by the collection of primary data from experts in this field. Results/Findings: This paper finds that breastfeeding can be a lens to look at all aspects of development, providing a specific focus on nutrition. Corporations have an interesting role when it comes to development, and a complex relationship with NGOs. Conclusion: Solutions are not straightforward and there is no single answer to provide support and aid to pregnant and lactating mothers. Education must be provided in order to empower women and allow them to make decisions about their own health and protection from aggressive marketing of producers of BMS. Breastfeeding, though specific, can be applied across the board to virtually all aspects of society and means of development